Lucas watched her sleep, completely mesmerised by her delicate features. It was strange to think a girl he briefly saw a week ago and first kissed some hours back could hold him spellbound. He reached out to stroke her face, being careful to not rouse her. Not that he wasn't crazy about her pupils but he'd much rather bask in the cocoon of their love making from a few hours earlier. Truthfully, he wasn't quite prepared for her lashing out once she woke up and realized she had a toss in the hay with a complete stranger she just met.

He was used to having meaningless one night stands, or the random standing-up-in-the-toilet quickies, or even the occasional let's-do-it-before-he gets-back-from-the-bar quickies with girls who preferred his looks -as everything they've ever wanted- to their faithful boyfriends but this was different for him. She was different.

Admittedly, he had felt something like this before even though it was not this intense. He had dated Cindy Oluloye in his first year in the university and they were a perfect match, right before he foiled up their relationship by changing sheets with Karen but that was six years ago and he had since then moved on. However, this girl right here in his bed made him want to lock her up in a tall tower with no doors, or kidnap her to some deserted island -he could afford an island now- or even get her pregnant just so she'd be with him always. Just so that he could feel like this always. He shook his head vigorously to dispel the weird thoughts. What was wrong with him? What was this girl doing to him?

She stirred slowly, stretching herself and he felt himself stiffen. This was it, this was the moment where she goes all hysterical and accuses him of being a virgin hunter by seducing her while intoxicated. Although he didn't like the word virgin-hunter, he could not deny the other allegation.

She yawned and opened her eyes, blinking her lashes repeatedly to get accustomed to her surrounding. She looked around the room slowly until it rested on him. He saw confusion in her eyes briefly and he knew he couldn't bear the tension anymore.

"Good morning, beautiful," he drawled sexily, trying to drown his guilt.

If it had been whispered to him about this reaction, he wouldn't have believed it. So it came as a shock to him when she looked down instantly avoiding his gaze. Wait, was she embarrassed? Like the good kind of embarrassment?

"What time is it?" She asked instead, gripping the white sheets that clung to her bosom, still not meeting his eyes. She wasn't voluptuous but the twin mounds on her chest had filled his palms nicely.

At least, there would be no allegations. She took complete responsibility for last night too. "Early."

When she turned towards the edge of the bed in an attempt to leave, he quizzed.

"Did you sleep well?" He had no idea why he wanted to know that answer.

She nodded turning to face him. When she couldn't hold his gaze, she bit her lips instead to not think too much about last night, and prevent her from blurting out random questions. Blurting out strange questions like,

"It was painful."

At his blank expression, she clarified, "I didn't know it was going to be painful like this. Judy always makes it sound like it's not supposed to be painful, but it was," she finished with a pout.

For the first time in his life, Lucas felt like a jerk, coupled with disbelief at her frankness. Yes, it wasn't always rainbows and unicorns for virgins but he knew how to pleasure a woman into oblivion. To hear her say that dampened his mood instantly and put a dent -a huge dent- on his ego. He'd be damned if he let her leave this room with that awful memory about their first time together. He had a reputation to uphold for crying out loud!

"I'm really sorry about that," he began, reaching down to tilt her face up gently so she'd look into his eyes, "I'm usually in control of what I do in bed. I make sure a woman's pleasures are met first, that your pleasures are met first, but I totally flopped it last night. Allow me to make it up to you, please."

His voice was velvety smooth, his touch silky soft and his hazel brown eyes chocolatey hot. He was everything her mother forbade her from dangling into and yet, here she was doing exactly that.

"You don't have to," she whispered, afraid that if she said it louder, he'd be angry with her but he only smiled as if it was the invitation he needed all along.

"I insist." And he followed up that statement with a fleeting kiss on her lips. Gently, beguiling, mesmerizing. He knew what he was doing, he had mastery in the art of kissing so she followed his lead amateurishly.

The joining was exhilarating and invigorating. Needing no invitation, Lucas reached out to cup her face in his hands, urging her to lift her body and sit up on the bed, the white cotton sheets falling off her bosom carelessly.

She moaned. He moaned. The swirling of tongues creating a sensual rhythm, a tune alien to them but familiar at the same time. She chased after his tongue like an entranced princess chasing after a butterfly.

She moaned. He moaned. The kiss had turned ferocious in an instant and Lucas got greedy. He wanted more, so much more than she might possibly be ready to offer but not surprising, she was ready to give him all, if he were to ask.

His trailing hands found her breasts and his blood exulted at the feeling of soft, filled mounds in his hands. Without hesitation, he twirled the two nubs slowly and sensually using his thumb and forefinger. Her moans gave him the encouragement he needed to give her a memory that she would never forget.

++++++++++

Sara bit her lips for the umpteenth time, all in the bid to hide the infectious grins that sat down comfortably on her face. Not that her actions could do much to help, since the major cause of her happiness was sitting close to her at the back seat of the car. His name, Lucas.

The party, which dragged on painfully till early hours of the morning much to the nuisance of the elderly neighbours, had ended already but not without the usual tossing in the hay. And while Judy got tossed, Sara was tumbled up and down, so to speak. Now, however, Martin was driving like a madman to beat the Lekki expressway morning traffic in order to get the girls home before their families realised the "supposed" night vigil got extended. Truthfully, any observant parent would know they went to get 'tossed' judging by the amount of ridiculous grins on their faces. Sara had an upper here though, since she was finding it a bit hard to walk properly, courtesy of Lucas.

The fool in question, however, was busy whispering meaningless things in her ear, things that made her almost ask for the car to turn back, but common sense reasserted itself at the dying minute. So, Lucas could only get her to promise to show up next week for another party he was throwing. Plainly, he wanted to know how soon he could dig her down real good.

After numerous rants, shouts and curses to offending cars, Martin pulled up at the beginning of the street and stopped the car. Dawn had broken, the sun had gone to work and people were up and about, since Saturdays was traditionally a busy day and staying indoors meant you were lazy. Or jobless. Or both.

Lucas watched her nervously look out the window as if she expected her mother to jump out in front of the car any moment. Her bedraggled hair, which she kept running fingers through all morning framed her oval face beautifully and her lips which were finally released from her continous attacks on them, was pink and plump, just like they were whenever he kissed her. At that thought, he felt a kick in his pants and was forced to take in a sharp breath. He couldn't wait for next Saturday to arrive.

"You're very beautiful, Sara Amadi," he blurted out subconsciously, still hypnotised.

At his confession, she returned her gaze to him in shock before looking away again shyly. "Thank you, Lucas."

"When will I see you again?" Pointless question but he hoped her answer this time would be different. Positive, even.

She was saddened to even give him the same response. "I can't leave the house anytime during the week. It really must be on Saturday."

He nodded painfully, before reaching out to stroke her chin. Her eyes met his of their own freewill and they held. Without thought, he tilted his head towards hers and cupping her face, planted his lips firmly on hers. If he wasn't seeing her again for at least a week, he might as well take whatever he could, all he could, right now.

Lucas finally pulled back after what seemed like an eternity, gasping like someone who ran a marathon. Simply put, this girl took his breath away.

"I'll be counting the minutes till I see you again."

She nodded, reaching out to brush her thumb across his bottom lip. It trembled at the touch and his eyes fluttered close at the contact, wishing fervently to have her in his arms again.

The opening of the car door pulled the duo apart and Sara swung around to face the opened door. Judy had an apologetic look on her face. He let out a chuckle when Sara frowned at her friend for interrupting their moment. Surprised that he caught her red-handed, she giggled and Lucas' heart flipped at the beautiful laugh emanating from her lips. He couldn't possibly be in love with her already, could he?

"Sorry to interrupt but we have to go now or her mother would get suspicious. It's already late as it is and I don't want any problems."

At her observation, Sara looked around and sighed. She really had to leave now.

"I really have to go. Goodbye, Lucas. See you on Saturday."

His response was to drop a butterfly kiss on her lips. Then flashing her a warm smile, watched her exit the car grudgingly. They waited till the girls were well out of sight before staring the car and then, subsequently, driving off.

Sara waved one more time at the retreating car, even as she willed her heart and her feet to not turn around and make a mad dash for the car. For the man seated at the back of that car. He was everything she didn't know she needed but knew she couldn't lose. He had flown into her nest to roost and she didn't think she was quite capable of letting him go, if ever, anyways. Within the space of a few hours, he had managed to make his indelible mark on her heart. She couldn't possibly be in love with him already, could she?

Seeing the longing on her friend's face, Judy walked alongside her. Linking their arms together, she tried to liven the mood. She was not a strong believer of love at first sight but being completely hypnotised could only explain this situation better.

"Don't think too much about it. You'll see him soon enough."

"A week is not soon enough," she pouted, casting a glance behind her. Her heart felt heavy on being reminded of this time gap.

Judy sighed. This one was hopeless. Hopelessly in love, more like. "Well, you're right. A week is not soon enough but if Lucas feels the same way that you do, he'll find a way to see you before Saturday."

At her shocked expression, Judy did a little backtrack on her wording and winced sharply.

"Do you think Lucas doesn't feel anything for me?!" She sounded horrified. "But I thought his kisses and love making last night and this morning expressed his feelings for me." She was damn near hysterical.

"No, that's not what I meant," Judy quickly amended, not wanting to squash her hope.

"Then what exactly do you mean?"

"What I mean is that Lucas Caspian-Asiegbu is a certified playboy. He changes women like he changes clothes. With a gorgeous body and excessive wealth to boot, he can't help being anything else. I just want you to be careful."

"But he can still change his ways when he falls in love. Like for example, when he falls in love with me. Love can change him. I can change him."

Her voice of reasoning was too naive, too childish even, but if it made her happy to think that way, who was she to rein on her friend's parade?

Nodding her head slowly with a practised smile, Judy affirmed. "Love can change a man."

Hearing the support in her friends voice, Sara directed her thoughts to other things, mainly discussing a fulfilled night of activity they had over at Lucas' bachelor pad.

They reached their compound amidst laughs and gaily disposition. Judy said her goodbyes and sauntered off towards her flat and Sara was left alone to her thoughts. Lucas had to feel something for her, his kisses convinced her of that much. Heck, he even said it's been long he felt this way with a woman. But as he had uttered those words in the middle of heightened pleasure, he probably couldn't be held accountable. Sara refused to believe otherwise. His hazel brown eyes held sincerity when he said those words to her. He may have been a player before he met her but she was certain she made an impression on him. She had to have, otherwise why else did he look pained to see her go this morning?

She reached the door and pulled at the door knob. When the door opened easily, her hackles rose unexpectedly. Who was at home? It was a Saturday. Everybody should be at the shop. Her eyes darting around rapidly like an atom in an excited state, she tiptoed into the house, half expecting a burglar to appear out of thin air. It came as a shock to her however, when her mother walked into the sitting room with a wrapper tied securely above her bosom and giving off a leisure vibe. A shriek filled the room and Sara had to mentally confirm the sound came from her lips. What was her mother doing at home at this time?

Her eyes travelled from the scarf on her mother's head to the grim line of her lips. It did not foretell good things for her. But what took the cake, however, was what she held in both hands. Her bathroom slipper in one hand and a fufu turning stick in another.

Sara tried to swallow around the huge lump lodged painfully in her throat. I don die today, she thought frantically. Her lips started to wobble of their own accord.

"Mama, good morning."

Anthonia nodded as if all was well. "Good morning. How was the night vigil?"

To fib or not to fib. Her eyes caught the items again and she shivered mentally. To fib, it is then. "It was fine, mama. The Pastor prayed so much a lot of people fell under the anointing. One woman fell on top me when the anointing took over her body."

"Really?" Her brows were raised in skepticism.

Sara nodded, holding her gaze unflinchingly, even though it was quite hard to pull it off. She needed to be convinced of her own lie if she expected her mother to believe her.

"This is very confusing. You see, that is not what Mama Bertha told me when Bertha got back home early this morning after the heavy downpour."

Sara felt her brows lift up by themselves in shock and confusion. It had rained last night? That was not possible, but then again she had been changing sheets with Lucas to have paid mind to her surroundings.

Her mother continued, oblivious to the arguments going on inside her mind. "She even said the rain was so much it soaked everything so they had low turnout. And that was why they had to close early. Everybody's child came home before 2 am this morning but Ada Amadi, pastor's wife, is coming back now." She made a show of glancing at her imaginary watch. "At 8 am. Tell me, what you were doing in church for the past 6 hours."

Doing the do with Lucas. It was the truth but it would get her killed faster. So lying would save her hide, literally. Before she could come up with a believable lie, her mother thundered, her tone betraying her anger and impatience.

"Sara Chinazamekpere Amadi, where did you say you went to last night?"

Oops!

To fib or not to fib?

~~~~~~~~~~

I'm really happy to put up this final chapter. It took too long in coming, way too long, so my apologies.

How was this chapter? I hope you liked it. There is nothing else I want to add to this story, but you are allowed to let your imaginations run wild concerning our favourite couple. 😄😊

As a goodbye-till-next-book-gift, I was hoping I could get reviews and critics concerning this book from the readers. Just a lengthy comment on the inconsistencies, the scenes that were too vague, too repetitive, or just plain unnecessary. It would help me avoid such mistakes in my other books. Sorry for turning you guys to critiques and reviewers but I really need to hear it from people who read the book from A-Z and enjoyed it and want it out there.

Thank you 🙋😙

1. Daalu
2. Ese
3. Nagode
4. Graciaş
5. Asante sana
6. Obrigądo
7. Merći

-Sixfeetoffineapple signing out

NB: My user name says Six-feet-of-fine-apple. See, it's not that hard to pronounce 😊